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Airmen without transportation have alternative

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John Gordinier
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Shaw Airmen and families who do not have vehicles or have one but want to save gas money can ride the Santee Wateree Regional Transportation Authority shuttles.
The shuttle arrives at the 20th Medical Group building numerous times throughout the week to transport Airmen to various stops throughout Sumter, including the mall.

"The service cost is only $1.25 per one-way trip," said Ann August, SWRTA executive director. "The first route going to Shaw begins at 8:10 a.m. and the last bus leaves Shaw at 3:45 p.m. If the demand becomes greater, we can operate for longer hours if needed."

The route originates at the SWRTA transfer point on Magnolia and Calhoun Streets and arrives at Shaw's 20th Medical Group Monday through Friday at 8:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

SWRTA provides commuter services to Myrtle Beach as well.

"This commuter costs $5 round trip and is available seven days a week, 364 days a year," Mrs. August said. "It leaves the old library parking lot on the corner of Harvin and Calhoun Streets in downtown Sumter at 6 a.m. and returns at 6 p.m.

"Once the commuter arrives in Myrtle Beach, it will drop off passengers along the beach front on Ocean Boulevard," said O.J. Papucci, Santee Lynches Council of Governments transportation coordinator. "The shuttle will begin to pick passengers back up around 3 p.m. to head back to Sumter. That is a total of about seven hours, which is plenty of time for an Airman to get a (sun) burn on the beach."

"The SWRTA is an economic benefit to those who use it and (an environmental benefit) to those who don't," Mrs. August said. "As fuel prices increase and the demand for roadways decrease, public transportation will become more and more important.

"SWRTA is looking at ways to improve our services. We would like to know what we can do to make the service better for Airmen and their families, whether it be later hours, earlier hours or even Saturday services."

For more information, visit www.smrta.com.